Library Policies

Introduction

The Sekhet-Maat Library is a resource of literary, visual, and audio media which services the Portland, Oregon O.T.O. community in general and members of Sekhet-Maat Lodge in particular. The media in the Library represents primarily topics which are of interest to practitioners of the Western Hermetic Occult Traditions, including materials referenced by applicable study guides.

Definitions and Assumptions

Library - The Sekhet-Maat Lodge Library.

Sekhet-Maat Lodge or Sekhet-Maat - Sekhet-Maat Lodge, Ordo Templi Orientis, in the valley of Portland, Oregon, U.S.A.

Librarian - Person or persons holding the administrative office of Lodge Librarian, charged with the overall management of the Library.

Media - Any informational material in the Library, including, but not limited to: all printed material including books, periodicals, white papers; all video material including VHS and film; all audio material including CDs, cassette tapes, records; miscellaneous material including Tarot cards, charts, divination devices; all digital media including data CDs, floppy discs, etc.

Research Archive - Microfilm reader, computer, printer, and collection of microfilm.

All materials in the Library, unless specifically on "Loan" (see section on Donations versus Loans), are property of Sekhet-Maat Lodge, and fall under the policies and conditions defined in this document.

Please send us your suggestions and feedback or speak to the Librarian in person.

Donations and Loans:
Getting Books Into the Library

Donations versus Loans

There are two ways to add media to the Library: donations and loans.

Donations are media acquired by a person and then given as a gift to the Library. Donations are defined by the following parameters.

• Once donated, the media becomes property of Sekhet-Maat Lodge
• Donated media may remain in the Library indefinitely
• Donated media may be placed either in circulation or in reference
• Donations are accepted only based on the criteria described in this document
• All donations must follow the processes described in this document
• Donated media can only be removed by following the processes described in this document

Loans are media which are housed in the Library, but which do not belong to Sekhet-Maat. Loans are defined by the following parameters.

• Loaned media remain property of their original owner
• The owner of the loaned media may reclaim their property at any time
• Sekhet-Maat is not responsible for the loss, misuse, or damage of any loaned media while they are housed in the Library
• Loaned media may only be placed in reference
• Loans are accepted only based on the criteria described in this document
• All loans must follow the processes described in this document

How to Donate

The donator must be fully agreeable to the following terms:

• media can only be donated by following the processes detailed in this document
• once donated, media becomes property of the Library
• media cannot be removed from the Library by the donor except through the processes detailed in this document

Due to limited physical space in the Library, donations will be accepted in the following order of priority:

1. Media listed in a relevant study guide which is not already represented in the Library
2. Valuable/popular media which is represented in the reference section but not in circulation (i.e. 777, Holy Books of Thelema, Mystical Qabalah, My Life With the Spirits, etc.)
3. Media related in subject to any of the following areas, in order of priority:
   • Eastern and Western Occultism (including subjects such as alchemy, astrology, magick, divination, conjuration, yoga, etc.)
   • Holy Books (i.e. AL, Tao, Nag Hamadi, Torah, etc.)
   • World Mythology and Symbolism
   • Eastern and Western Philosophy
4. Media related to Thelema, Occultism, or Philosophy which are in the genres of fiction, art, or poetry.

Other media may be accepted space permitting.

A list of media which will not be accepted as donations follows:

• Duplicate media (unless fits criteria 2 above)
• Popular/common media which is easily available in public libraries and which is unrelated to Western Esotericism (i.e. Sydney Sheldon or John Grisham novels, how-to manual for fixing a 1994 Honda, gardening or cook books, etc.)
• Obscure media which is unlikely to be used by the community (i.e. old text books, obscure fiction from 1932 in a moldy spine, etc.)
• Really dreadful or un-useful media pertaining to Western Esotericism (i.e. outdated almanacs, astrology books sold at checkout counters)

Any media donated but not accepted for the Library will be placed in a "free stuff" box. Community members are free to take home anything in it over the course of a month. After that the media will either be discarded (if it is completely worthless), or donated elsewhere.

To donate media, the following steps must be taken:

1. The potential donations must be placed in a box, basket, or some other container which clearly separates them from the media in the Library, preferably with a note telling people not to touch.
2. A communication to the Librarian must be made that the donation has occurred. Include in the communication any preferences regarding whether the media belongs in reference or circulation (keeping in mind that the Librarian has the final say). Communication can happen in any of the following ways:
   • contact us
   • speak to the Librarian directly
   • leave a note on the top of the donated media clearly stating your name and how you can be reached
3. The Librarian will then go through the media and sort it:
   • accepted or denied
   • circulation or reference

   THIS IS THE POINT AT WHICH OWNERSHIP PASSES TO SEKHET-MAAT LODGE.

4. The Librarian will add the new media to the catalog.
5. The Librarian will stamp the media for circulation or reference and add it to the appropriate shelves.
6. The Librarian will send an email to the community letting everyone know the new media is available.

Once media has been donated to the Library, it cannot be removed by the previous owner. The media has become property of Sekhet-Maat. There are however circumstances under which media can be removed from the Library which are detailed in this section.

1. Removal by Consensus: The Library is meant to service the community. Therefore, if the majority of the members of Sekhet-Maat do not want media in the library, it will likely be removed. The final say in these matters, where not painfully obvious, will be by the Librarian and/or the Lodge Master.
2. Removal by Entropy: Over time as the Library grows there may be less room for media that is less important or less used. Decisions regarding the removal of media should space become an issue will be made by taking first those items which do not fit the main criteria, then by removing items which have not been checked out or referenced in a considerable amount of time (>2 years). Decisions about what to be removed will be made by the Librarian.
3. Other: All other removals or returns of media are made only at the discretion of the Librarian.

How to Loan

Often a member of Sekhet-Maat will wish to house media in the Library without relinquishing ownership of the media. Loaned media is stored in the Library but not property of Sekhet-Maat.

The loaner must be fully agreeable to the following terms:

• media can only be loaned by following the processes detailed in this document
• loaned media will remain property of the loaner
• loaned media may remain in the Library only until the loaner takes it back
• Sekhet-Maat is not responsible for the loss or damage of loaned media

Sekhet-Maat Lodge will make every attempt to ensure that the loaned media is well taken care of and remains on the Lodge premises at all times.

Criteria for acceptance of loans is identical to criteria for acceptance of donations.

To loan media, the following steps must be taken:

1. A communication to the Librarian must be made before the loan is delivered. This is to discuss any special concerns, care, or other issues surrounding the loan. Communication can happen in any of the following ways:
   • contact the Librarian through the online contact form
   • speak to the Librarian directly
2. Deliver the media to the Librarian, or place in a box at Sekhet-Maat where it is unlikely to be mistaken for shelved material, preferably with a note on top saying not to touch.
3. The Librarian will then go through the following procedure:
   1. The Librarian will add the new media to the catalog, flagging it as a loan.
   2. The Librarian will place a note in or on each piece of loaned media marking it as a loan to Sekhet-Maat's Library.
   3. The Librarian will send an email to the community letting everyone know the new media is available.

The owner of the loaned media may remove it from the Library at any time. The owner must communicate to the Librarian that this has happened to avoid widespread panic. Either contact the Librarian directly or through our contact info page.

Circulation and Reference:
Getting Books Out of the Library

Circulation versus Reference : Definitions

Circulation - These books may be borrowed by Sekhet-Maat Lodge members, supporting affiliates, and library cardholders only.

Reference - These books may not be removed from the physical premises of Sekhet-Maat Lodge.

Library Use

Currently, the procedure is as followed. Plans to move to a more automated and easier to use system are being pursued.

1. Only borrow a book if you are a member, supporting affiliate, or library cardholder of Sekhet-Maat Lodge.
2. Locate the black and white composition book which is always on one of the shelves of the Circulation section.
3. Fill out each of the columns. Be sure to use your given name - the one on your driver's license - NOT a magickal name or motto.
4. When you return the book, locate your row in the book and fill out the return date column.
5. The Library does not have a set duration for borrowed books at this time. If the librarian is unable to locate media on the shelf and the return date has not been filled out in the book, and if an abnormally long time (>6 months) has passed, the librarian will contact the borrower and inquire about the media.

Read a book at the Lodge. Place it back on the shelf when done.

Using the Research Archive

Conditions of Usage

• The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy, laserprint or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the reproduction is not to be "used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research. " If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use," that user may be liable for copyright infringement. Sekhet-Maat Lodge Library reserves the right to refuse access to the research archive if, in our judgment, such access would involve violation of copyright law.
• Please refer to the Fair Use guidelines (http://fairuse.stanford.edu/) to learn about reproduction for:
  1. private study, scholarship, or research
  2. quotation in original papers for transformative purposes such as critique, commentary, or parody
• A hard-copy reference to applicable copyright laws and citation guidelines is available at the library.
• Yorke and O.T.O. Archives only: To request permission to reproduce or publish material from the research archive, contact us.

Archive Access

• Sekhet-Maat Lodge members, supporting affiliates, and library cardholders may use the research archive free of charge during Lodge open hours (see calendar for days and times) or by special arrangement.
• O.T.O. initiates in good standing who are not members, supporting affiliates, or library cardholders of Sekhet-Maat Lodge may use the research archive during open hours or by special arrangement for the fee of US $5.00 per hour and 10¢ per print.
• All others may use the archive with permission from the Sekhet-Maat librarian. Please contact us.
• Special arrangements, both in terms of cost and availability, can be made for long term research by contacting the librarian.
• Due to copyright concerns, the catalog to the Yorke and O.T.O. Archives are only available in hard copy at the library, and will not be published electronically.
• The catalog to the Sloane Manuscripts is available both electronically from this website and in hard copy at the library.

Archive Usage Training

To use the research archive, all users must have knowledge in the following areas:

• Storage and handling of microfilm.

• Proper usage of film scanner and associated peripheries.

This information is provided at the library.